Disposable Yard Waste Bag with Integrated Funnel

ABSTRACT

A disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel is a biodegradable paper bag for yard waste with a tubular base, a funnel portion, a pair of handles, and an adhesive liner. The funnel portion is connected to the open end of the tubular base and is flared outward from the tubular base for easy loading of yard waste into the bag. The adhesive pull-and-stick liner at the top of the funnel portion allows the user to seal the funnel portion after filling the bag. The pair of handles is positioned on the tubular base for convenient carrying and handling purposes.

The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/570,469 filed on Dec. 14, 2011.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to disposing of outdoor waste. More particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for a yard waste bag with an integrated funnel.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Homeowners are often faced with certain tasks to maintain their property, including maintaining a garden, trees or shrubbery, cleaning gutters, fixing or replacing fences or siding, painting, mowing the lawn, or clearing their lawn of leaves. Most residential neighborhoods plant many trees to provide a natural, welcoming and pleasant environment for the residents. During the fall season, deciduous trees lose their leaves, primarily to conserve energy through the winter months and prevent damage to the tree. By losing their leaves, trees can conserve their moisture in the trunk and branches, rather than drying out and dying. Leaf loss also puts the tree into a state of dormancy, greatly reducing the amount of energy the tree needs to stay alive. Since trees are often placed near people's homes, leaves are prone to falling into their yard, creating an unsightly appearance.

Homeowners typically use a rake or leaf blower to collect the leaves into a pile, which must then be disposed of. In some places, it is permissible for the leaves to be burned, or the leaves may be carried or blown to a nearby wooded area. In many urban areas, however, there is no nearby wooded area, or local ordinances prohibit leaf burning due to fire hazards and environmental impact. As such, it is often required that leaves are placed into bags for later pickup by a waste disposal service.

It is possible to use typical plastic trash bags for leaf disposal, but it is often required that leaves are placed into biodegradable paper bags. These lawn and leaf bags typically resemble an oversized grocery bag and are self-standing, with a 30 gallon capacity. However, it is often difficult for one person to load leaves into a typical lawn and leaf bag since the opening of the bag is not very large compared to its volumetric capacity. Leaves often spill over the edges of the bag when a person attempts to load a high volume of leaves and other debris into the bag, making the loading process inefficient. In addition, the edges of the bag are prone to folding into the bag upon loading, providing further complication and frustration for the user. Existing leaf waste bags also do not seal, and waste may fall out of the bag during transport.

Various systems have been developed to assist a person in disposing of yard waste, such as funnel inserts, but they are frequently bulky, expensive, difficult to store, or otherwise inconvenient.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a disposable bag with an integrated funnel that is disposable, biodegradable, easy to use and easy to store, and may be sealed after use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with a square shaped funnel portion.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a circular funnel portion.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with the funnel portion folded and sealed.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention with a square shaped funnel portion with hidden lines shown and showing the adhesive liner.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

The present invention is a disposable yard waste bag with an integrated funnel for easier and more efficient disposal of yard waste. The preferred embodiment of the present invention is made of biodegradable paper material similar to existing yard bags, is self-supporting in the upright position, and can be folded for packaging and shipping. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the present invention is made of different materials, such as, but not limited to, craft paper or another recyclable material.

Referring to FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a tubular base 1, a funnel portion 2, an adhesive liner 3, a pair of handles 4, a plurality of storage creases 5, and a plurality of sealing creases 6. The tubular base 1 and the funnel portion 2 are positioned adjacently and concentrically with each other. The tubular base 1, the funnel portion 2, and the pair of handles 4 are preferably made of biodegradable paper, though other appropriate disposable biodegradable materials may be used.

The tubular base 1 is the main body of the present invention that holds yard waste. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the tubular base 1 is a hollow rectangular cuboid similar to existing yard waste bags. The tubular base 1 preferably has a height approximately two to three times the width or depth. In one embodiment of the invention, the tubular base 1 is 16 inches in width, 12 inches in depth, and 35 inches in height. The present invention may be embodied in a plurality of sizes. In other embodiments of the present invention, the tubular base 1 has different dimensions, though the ratios between the dimensions preferably remain substantially similar. For example, in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the tubular base 1 is 4 inches in width, 3 inches in depth, and 9 inches in height. This smaller embodiment of the present invention may be used for pet waste disposal.

Referring to FIG. 4, the tubular base 1 comprises a closed end 11 and an open end 12. The closed end 11 is the bottom surface of the tubular base 1 that rests on the ground while the present invention is in use and is a barrier that prevents waste from falling out through the bottom of the tubular base 1. The closed end 11 is positioned opposite the funnel portion 2 along the tubular base 1. The open end 12 is the end of the tubular base 1 opposite the closed end 11 along the tubular base 1 through which waste is inserted into the tubular base 1. The open end 12 is adjacent to the funnel portion 2 and is perimetrically outlined by the small perimeter 21. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the closed end 11 is the same size as the open end 12. In another embodiment of the present invention, the closed end 11 is larger than the open end 12 so that the weight of waste placed within the tubular base 1 aids in the stability of the tubular base 1, preventing the tubular base 1 from tipping over while being filled. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the closed end 11 has multiple layers of paper material folded together to form the closed end 11 similar to standard paper bags, forming a sturdy layer of paper material so that stored waste does not break out the bottom of the bag due to the weight of the waste and ruin the bag.

Referring to FIG. 4, the pair of handles 4 is a pair of grips connected to the tubular base 1 that a user grasps in order to lift, move, stabilize or otherwise manipulate the present invention. The pair of handles 4 is exteriorly positioned on the tubular base 1 between the closed end 11 and the open end 12 and is diametrically opposed to each other on the tubular base 1. The pair of handles 4 is preferably made of the same biodegradable paper material as the tubular body and the funnel portion 2. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pair of handles 4 is adjacent to the open end 12 and oriented so that the pair of handles 4 is perpendicular to the axis of the tubular base 1. In another embodiment, the pair of handles 4 is oriented parallel to the axis of the tubular base 1 so that a user may carry the present invention like a suitcase.

The funnel portion 2 is positioned adjacent to the tubular base 1 opposite the closed end 11. The funnel portion 2 comprises a small perimeter 21, a large perimeter 22, and a funnel wall 23. The small perimeter 21, the large perimeter 22, and the funnel wall 23 are concentrically positioned with each other. The small perimeter 21 and the large perimeter 22 are positioned opposite each other along the funnel portion 2 and are connected to each other by the funnel wall 23. The small perimeter 21 is perimetrically connected to the tubular base 1 at the open end 12. The funnel wall 23 is flared outward from the small perimeter 21 to the large perimeter 22, forming a funnel shape that aids the user in placing yard waste through the funnel portion 2 into the tubular base 1. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the cross section of the funnel portion 2 is substantially rectangular. In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the cross section of the funnel portion 2 is circular or another shape, as can be seen in FIG. 2. Referring to FIG. 3, after the user has filled the tubular base with yard waste and is finished using the present invention, the user may seal and fold the funnel portion for storage and transportation.

In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive liner 3 is a pull-and-stick adhesive method similar to those found on envelopes. The adhesive liner 3 allows the funnel portion 2 to be sealed in order to prevent debris from escaping from the present invention due to wind, animals, or other influences. The adhesive liner 3 is positioned within the funnel portion 2, perimetrically connected to the funnel wall 23 adjacent to the large perimeter 22, so that when the user is done filling the present invention, the user may fold the funnel portion 2 into itself and seal the present invention at the upper extremity of the funnel portion 2 by adhering the adhesive liner 3 to itself. Referring to FIG. 4, the adhesive liner 3 comprises an adhesion layer 31 and a non-stick cover 32. The adhesion layer 31 is positioned concentric and adjacent to the funnel wall 23. The non-stick cover 32 is connected across the adhesion layer 31 opposite the funnel wall 23. When the user is done filling the present invention, the user removes the non-stick cover 32 in order to seal the funnel portion 2. In one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive liner acts as a structural band around the large perimeter of the funnel portion, applying radial force to the funnel portion, holding the funnel portion open while the user inserts waste for further user friendliness.

The plurality of storage creases 5 is a number of folds positioned on the tubular base 1 in a manner similar to typical yard waste bags, enabling the tubular base 1 to be folded for storage while the non-stick cover 32 is attached to the adhesion layer 31.

The plurality of sealing creases 6 is a number of folds positioned on the funnel wall 23, aiding the user in folding the funnel portion 2 into itself when the non-stick cover 32 is not attached to the adhesion layer 31 so that the user may seal the funnel portion 2 after filling the present invention with waste.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel comprises, a tubular base; a funnel portion; an adhesive liner; a pair of handles; a plurality of storage creases; a plurality of sealing creases; the tubular base comprises a closed end and an open end; the funnel portion comprises a small perimeter, a large perimeter, and a funnel wall; the adhesive liner comprises an adhesion layer and a non-stick cover; the tubular base and the funnel portion being positioned concentrically with each other; and the funnel portion is positioned adjacent to the tubular base opposite the closed end.
 2. The disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the closed end being positioned opposite the funnel portion along the tubular base; the pair of handles being exteriorly positioned on the tubular base between the closed end and the funnel portion; and the pair of handles being diametrically opposed to each other on the tubular base.
 3. The disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the small perimeter, the large perimeter, and the funnel wall being concentrically positioned with each other; the small perimeter and the large perimeter being positioned opposite each other along the funnel portion; the small perimeter and the large perimeter being connected to each other by the funnel wall; the small perimeter being perimetrically connected to the tubular base at the open end; and the funnel wall being flared outward from the small perimeter to the large perimeter.
 4. The disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the plurality of storage creases being positioned on the tubular base, wherein the plurality of storage creases enable the tubular base to be folded for storage while the non-stick cover is attached to the adhesion layer; and the plurality of sealing creases being positioned on the funnel portion, wherein the plurality of sealing creases enables the funnel portion to be folded in order to seal the funnel portion while the non-stick cover is not attached to the adhesion layer.
 5. The disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel as claimed in claim 1 comprises, the adhesive liner being positioned within the funnel portion; the adhesive liner being perimetrically connected to the funnel wall adjacent to the large perimeter; the adhesion layer being positioned concentric and adjacent to the funnel wall; and the non-stick cover being connected across the adhesion layer opposite the funnel wall, wherein the non-stick cover is removable from the adhesion layer in order to seal the funnel portion.
 6. A disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel comprises, a tubular base; a funnel portion; an adhesive liner; a pair of handles; a plurality of storage creases; a plurality of sealing creases; the tubular base comprises a closed end and an open end; the funnel portion comprises a small perimeter, a large perimeter, and a funnel wall; the adhesive liner comprises an adhesion layer and a non-stick cover; the tubular base and the funnel portion being positioned concentrically with each other; the funnel portion is positioned adjacent to the tubular base opposite the closed end; the small perimeter, the large perimeter, and the funnel wall being concentrically positioned with each other; the small perimeter and the large perimeter being positioned opposite each other along the funnel portion; the small perimeter and the large perimeter being connected to each other by the funnel wall; the small perimeter being perimetrically connected to the tubular base at the open end; and the funnel wall being flared outward from the small perimeter to the large perimeter.
 7. The disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel as claimed in claim 6 comprises, the closed end being positioned opposite the funnel portion along the tubular base; the pair of handles being exteriorly positioned on the tubular base between the closed end and the funnel portion; and the pair of handles being diametrically opposed to each other on the tubular base.
 8. The disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel as claimed in claim 6 comprises, the plurality of storage creases being positioned on the tubular base, wherein the plurality of storage creases enable the tubular base to be folded for storage while the non-stick cover is attached to the adhesion layer; and the plurality of sealing creases being positioned on the funnel portion, wherein the plurality of sealing creases enables the funnel portion to be folded in order to seal the funnel portion while the non-stick cover is not attached to the adhesion layer.
 9. The disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel as claimed in claim 6 comprises, the adhesive liner being positioned within the funnel portion; the adhesive liner being perimetrically connected to the funnel wall adjacent to the large perimeter; and the adhesion layer being positioned concentric and adjacent to the funnel wall; the non-stick cover being connected across the adhesion layer opposite the funnel wall, wherein the non-stick cover is removable from the adhesion layer in order to seal the funnel portion.
 10. A disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel comprises, a tubular base; a funnel portion; an adhesive liner; a pair of handles; a plurality of storage creases; a plurality of sealing creases; the tubular base comprises a closed end and an open end; the funnel portion comprises a small perimeter, a large perimeter, and a funnel wall; the adhesive liner comprises an adhesion layer and a non-stick cover; the tubular base and the funnel portion being positioned concentrically with each other; the funnel portion is positioned adjacent to the tubular base opposite the closed end; the small perimeter, the large perimeter, and the funnel wall being concentrically positioned with each other; the small perimeter and the large perimeter being positioned opposite each other along the funnel portion; the small perimeter and the large perimeter being connected to each other by the funnel wall; the small perimeter being perimetrically connected to the tubular base at the open end; the funnel wall being flared outward from the small perimeter to the large perimeter; the adhesive liner being positioned within the funnel portion; the adhesive liner being perimetrically connected to the funnel wall adjacent to the large perimeter; the adhesion layer being positioned concentric and adjacent to the funnel wall; and the non-stick cover being connected across the adhesion layer opposite the funnel wall, wherein the non-stick cover is removable from the adhesion layer in order to seal the funnel portion.
 11. The disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel as claimed in claim 10 comprises, the closed end being positioned opposite the funnel portion along the tubular base; the pair of handles being exteriorly positioned on the tubular base between the closed end and the funnel portion; and the pair of handles being diametrically opposed to each other on the tubular base.
 12. The disposable yard waste bag with integrated funnel as claimed in claim 10 comprises, the plurality of storage creases being positioned on the tubular base, wherein the plurality of storage creases enable the tubular base to be folded for storage while the non-stick cover is attached to the adhesion layer; and the plurality of sealing creases being positioned on the funnel portion, wherein the plurality of sealing creases enables the funnel portion to be folded in order to seal the funnel portion while the non-stick cover is not attached to the adhesion layer. 